By Dorothy Evans
It was a Christmas miracle. There’s no better way to describe it. Despite the pandemic, the cold weather and the busy time of year, the Christmas spirit of giving was alive and well at Weiser’s quarterly blood drive held on December 9th. In all, more than 100 people showed up to donate their life-saving blood.
As wonderful as this sounds, the day was not without its problems. The large turnout overwhelmed the Red Cross workers who weren’t prepared for so many people. Waiting times were long causing some donors to leave and others to be turned away. Even so, a large turnout is a good problem to have and plans are already being made for better Red Cross staffing at future drives.
The good news is that over 300 lives may be saved because of the good people at this blood drive. Each unit donated can be used to help three people in need. The gift of life is the best Christmas gift of all.
All our donors are special but there are some who are truly amazing. Over the years, Larry Lee has donated 140 units (17.5 gallons) of blood and Pat Sullivan has donated 125 units (15+ gallons). 16-year-old Whitney Turner has already donated twice in her young life, possibly saving six lives. At each drive we usually have one or two first-timers but this time we had so many that I couldn’t list them all. We also had three donors drive all the way down from Baker City.
We appreciate all our donors. Those who gave their permission to print their name are: Jason Bair, Connie Lawrence, Sabrina Young, Jeff Kohler, Trisha Thomson, Selena Ankarberg, Mary Carole Kunz, Tim Erhard, Larry Lee, Rick Haynes, Brandon Smith, Fred Haun, Darin Walker, Bryant Walker, Judy Sterling, Lena Barbot, Ander Barbot, Gabriella Barbot, Rhonda Hirata, Daryn Young, Ralph Graham, Chris McCord, Rebecca Anderson, Bret Karnes, Brent Forward, Glade Gowans, Joe Milner, Rejeana Goolsby, Ralph Rowley, Freddie Hernandez, Judy Speropulos, Mari Bionaz, Suzanna Hubele, Steve Cooper, Barbara Huck, Pat Sullivan, Derry Bresee, Kindy Erhard, Randy Hibberd, Bob Barber, Zane Beams, Barbara Barber, Jo Huskey, Rachel Hawkins, Bryan Drake, Lupita Rodriguez, Jared Bain, Lorri Nakamura, Kelly Haun, Sam Luna, April Luna, Charles Winegardner, Kimberley Kimball, Jacob Evans, David Hopper, Tina Stirm, Sharon Robinson, Kevin Bouvia, Alex Conrad, Tammra Van Ness, Melissa Freeland, Scott Ellwood, Margaret Jensen, Brian Johnson, Kaitlyn Kyro, Molly Jensen, Jeff Nauman, Jeff Anderson, Sonia Sosa, Lila Harper, Michael Ryan, Patti Hartnett, Lucy Ross, Kami Terry, Mark Christensen, Allison Jenkins Simpson, Sherri Breaux, Sheleigh Turner, Whitney Turner, Melisse Hiner, Marty Hiner, Tammy Simmons and Alllen Simmons.
The blood drive could not happen without the help of the volunteers. Blood drive coordinator, Alex Chavarria, pulled it all together by lining up and calling donors. Dorothy Evans worked the registration table during the drive and entered future appointments into the database. New resident, Janet Forward, took everyone’s temperature. She has been in Weiser only six months and is already helping to make our town a great place to live.
Special thanks go to Lynnette Buller and the staff of the Metropole for donating sandwiches and cookies for the donors as well as a delicious meal for the volunteers and workers. Once she starts selling her “dinners to go” at their new location, I will be the first in line. We are also grateful to MTE for their contribution that pays for supplies and WIFI.
Weiser’s next quarterly blood drive will be held in the Vendome on Wednesday, March 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Let’s keep this success rolling. Please call Alex Chavarria at 208-602-7138 or Dorothy Evans at 208-549-5589 to schedule an appointment or go on the Red Cross website to reserve your time slot. Your blood could save a life. There’s no better way to spend an hour of your time.
